After completing their training, these GPs either need to return overseas, find employment with an employer that holds a tier 2 visa sponsorship licence or if they have already been in the UK for five years or more apply to normalise their status as a UK resident.

Since Summer 2018, NHS England has been offering the following package of support:

Practice matching

NHS England will support non-EEA GP trainees by matching them with vacancies at practices that hold visa sponsorship licences in their preferred locations.

Please note that standard recruitment processes then apply for the roles within these practices.

Non-EEA trainees considering staying in England after qualifying are encouraged to contact england.intrecruitment@nhs.net as early as possible to help ensure that practices with sponsorship licences will be available in the areas where they would like to work after qualifying.

Reimbursement of visa costs

NHS England will reimburse any tier 2 visa costs for the GP and their dependents if they remain in England to practise after qualifying.

Other non-EEA GPs working in England may also request this support.

Relocation support

NHS England may also provide funding to help with the costs of relocating non-EEA GP trainees’ personal belongings or dependents from overseas once fully qualified. Trainees from EEA countries staying in England to practise after qualifying may also request this support.

Support package for practices

Practices that apply for a tier 2 visa sponsorship licence between 1 June 2018 and 31 January 2020 may request reimbursement of the costs for the following from NHS England:

Sponsorship licence application fee

Visa sponsorship certificates

Immigration Skills Charges for the first two years for any non-EEA GP that they employ